NEW DELHI: A lawyer tried to attack CJI B R Gavai inside an SC courtroom on Monday, but alert security personnel restrained him the moment he removed his sports shoes in a bid to hurl them at the CJI. Gavai remained calm and composed and went ahead with court proceedings. “Don’t get distracted,” the CJI told lawyers. Rakesh Kishore, the errant lawyer, shouted, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge,” while being dragged away by security staff. Bar Council of India suspended his licence.Delhi Police said no complaint was received, and Kishore was released after verification. Kishore’s utterance was interpreted by many as reference to comments the CJI had allegedly made about Lord Vishnu. Gavai later clarified that he never made the comments attributed to him by social media. The bars and lawyer community have strongly condemned the attack, which took place at 11.35 am when a bench of the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran assembled to hear cases listed before it, terming it an attack on judiciary and sought action against the lawyer. SCBA: It’s a direct attack on judicial independence Delhi Police said no complaint was received, and Kishore was released after verification. Kishore’s utterance was interpreted by many as a reference to comments the CJI BR Gavai had allegedly made about Lord Vishnu. CJI later clarified that he never made the comments attributed to him by social media. The bars and lawyer community have condemned the attack, which took place at 11.35 am when a bench of the CJI and Justice K Vinod Chandran assembled to hear cases listed before it, terming it an attack on judiciary and sought action against the lawyer. In its suspension order, BCI said, “During the period of suspension, you are debarred from appearing, acting, pleading or practising in any court, tribunal or authority in India. Disciplinary proceedings shall be initiated against you in accordance with law. A show-cause notice shall be issued to you to explain, within 15 days from service of this order, why this action should not be continued and such further orders as deemed appropriate be passed.“The incident drew condemnation from Congress, BJP, Left parties, DMK, TMC, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) and others. In a statement, the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) said it is contemplating appropriate disciplinary actions against the lawyer. “This incident, reportedly stemming from a misguided backlash against the Hon’ble chief justice’s judicious observations in the Khajuraho Vishnu idol restoration matter, where his lordship emphasised respect for all religions and clarified his remarks amid social media distortions, cannot be tolerated. It constitutes a direct assault on judicial independence, violates constitutional values of decorum and discipline, and gravely undermines public confidence in the justice delivery system,” it said.The SCBA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the principles of secularism, fraternity and rule of law, and called upon the legal fraternity to remain vigilant against all attempts to politicise or scandalise the judiciary.“Such conduct is a disgrace to the noble legal profession and amounts to a direct assault on the dignity, independence, and sanctity of Supreme Court. Any attempt to intimidate or insult a sitting judge is not only criminal in nature but also a betrayal of the solemn oath every advocate takes to uphold the majesty of law and the decorum of the Court,” it said. Senior advocate Indira Jaising said the attorney general should take action for contempt of court for “an ideological casteist attack on a secular court”.The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) said the behaviour of the lawyer is antithetical to the dignity of the legal profession and contrary to the constitutional values of decorum, discipline, and institutional integrity. “Any attempt to malign or a personalised act/gesture aimed against a sitting judge of Supreme Court constitutes a direct assault on the independence of the judiciary and undermines public faith in the justice delivery system. SCOARA condemns this cowardly and disrespectful act,” said a statement issued by SCAORA secretary Nikhil Jain.
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